He had no idea why we were going to Kansas.
9 months earlier we had told Tucker he was getting a baby sister. He squealed. My heart leapt. He was so excited and felt strongly that his new baby sister should be named Parker. We told him we'd take it under consideration. And so the baby prep for all of us began-his little 4 year old heart included. We let him tell each of our family members-his opening line was, "So you know how I've been praying for a baby for EVER? Well... We're getting ... View the Post

She ordered extra powdered sugar for her waffle.
As if I needed one more reason to love her. We met her for brunch in the middle of America, surrounded by the perfect small town that would be our daughter's birthplace. Six weeks earlier, we had no idea the other one even existed. Today we were learning about each other over waffles, beginning to comprehend that this event happening in 4 months would connect us for the rest of our lives. We talked about our hopes for the baby in her belly. We ... View the Post

January. We let it sink in. The decision we'd just made. The words we'd just spoken had been thrown about in our own heads, wrestled to exhaustion more and more often over the last year. But they'd never been uttered aloud with any finality. That they were finally pulled forth from our heads and tumbled out audibly- with intention-was a sign that it was time for the conversation.
"I'm ready to think about when we should stop."
"It's probably time. It shouldn't be this ridiculously hard. ... View the Post

Since the day we came home, he has slept huddled in the left hand corner of the crib. Face tucked and pressed into the tiniest corner side slats as close as he can possibly get. His nose, mouth and ears protected and completely covered by the massive shell of Biscuit. His stuffed sea turtle.
I don't understand how he can stand to have his whole face smothered, but as soon as I think of taking away the stuffed creature, I can't. I always wonder if he does it because for months he lived and ... View the Post

He's 3. Fiestier than ever. Love is too soft a word to describe his obsession with all things animals. When he wants something, he saddles up next to you, looks up with his baby blue eyes and says, "You want just a wittle bit of ice cream?". Or, "You can watch one more Mickey Mouse. Can't you?" You means he.
He eats anything. ANYTHING. Olives, no problem. Salt and Vinegar chips, yep. He calls them sour chips. Blueberries, waffles, strawberries, pinto beans and wheat thins are some of his ... View the Post

There. Somewhere between Adventureland and Fantasyland, after my stroller ninja husband skillfully navigated through gigantic mouse ear balloons, super happy $20-a-picture photographers and mini princesses, I welled up for the first time. I looked ridiculous in my"You Make Me Blush" Bashful Dwarf tshirt, standing in line with our Fast Pass (they are real and awesome) for the Flying Dumbos, my eyes tearing up. It happened again in the Lion King show. And again on the Animal Kingdom safari. The ... View the Post

Who Is This Rookie?

I don't trust people who don't like sweets. Monica Gellar is my spirit animal. I work. I write. I mom. I pray. I wife. I eat. I go. First kid was born at 24 weeks and spent 151 days in the NICU-well that didn't go as planned. He fought and we cheered. I started writing during that time. Second kid was born on a Thursday night-her birthmom's hand in mine both of us crying happy tears. You'll find posts here about cheesecake, adoption, kindergarten shenanigans, hard stuff, Dolly Parton and whatever else I want. And you'll like it young lady. Thanks for reading. I always love adding to the team. Especially if you bring team snacks.